What is the ruling on playing games such as "Rock, Paper, Scissors" or counting to specific numbers, or using lots with paper or tossing a coin with the aim of seeking good omens (tashā’um) or bad omens (tashā’um); and are these actions considered al-Tiyarah (superstitious belief in omens), and what is the expiation for one who commits them?

It is forbidden to seek guidance (khirah) through lots, throwing money, or counting, as this is a form of tatayyur (superstitious belief in omens) and istiqsam (seeking to know the future through divination), which are prohibited by Islamic law. Allah Almighty has forbidden istiqsam with arrows (al-azlam) in His saying: "and that you seek to know through divining arrows. That is defiance." (Al-Ma'idah: 3). The Arabs in their pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) used azlam, which were three arrows: on one was written "do," on another "do not do," and the third was blank. Islam has commanded that when one is hesitant about a matter, they should perform Istikhara, which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us to do by praying two rak'ahs and then supplicating with the well-known Istikhara supplication.

Tatayyur is polytheism (shirk), and it is pessimism based on something seen, heard, or known. It contradicts monotheism (Tawhid) in two ways: 1. It severs reliance on Allah and causes dependence on other than Him. 2. It involves attachment to something that has no reality, being merely an illusion and imagination. The expiation for tatayyur is to repent to Allah Almighty and to say: "O Allah, there is no good except Your good, and no omen except Your omen, and there is no god besides You."